Role of Membership and Religious Leadership

Role of Membership and Religious Leadership

Role of Membership and Religious Leadership

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Process for preparing a community to welcome and mentor new members

By Carole Riley C.D.P.

This author led a men’s community through a five-year process of evaluating its way of incorporating new members and creating a new way to meet that need. Read more...

Get membership involved with a Vocation Summit

When this Franciscan province gathered together college men, those in formation and solemnly professed members, the discussion regarding new membership was enlightening and fruitful. Read more...

Involve your whole community

By Andrew and Father Andrew Carl Wisdom O.P.

Do more with less. You’ll save money and have more impact if membership and other stakeholders are committed and involved in vocation ministry. Read more...

Turning point: building consensus to make membership a priority

By Father Jim Kent, O.F.M. Conv., Fr. Jim Kent, O.F.M. Conv., and Sr. Patricia Donlin R.S.M.

How do you nurture a corporate commitment to vocation ministry? Here is how two communities have helped move their communities toward a “vocation culture.” Read more...

Membership makes a difference in attracting new members

Key findings from the NRVC-CARA study paired with probing questions illuminate the crucial role members have in forming a future for their community. Read more...

What vocation ministers want from leadership

By Fr. Steve Pawelk

Three keys to a positive, effective relationship between vocation ministers and leadership are shared vision, strong communication and plenty of resource support. Read more...

Vocation ministry thrives with clear expectations, real authority

By Diana Rawlings A.S.C.

Vocation directors and community leaders should agree on two foundations of vocation ministry: what they hope to achieve and how much authority the vocation minister has. Read more...

What I expect from a vocation minister

Clear roles and responsibilities are crucial for vocation ministers. Yet all this must rest on the solid ground of a well-developed interior life and disposition. Read more...

The way forward for leaders and vocation ministers

A seasoned vocation strategist reflects on the expectations of leaders and vocation ministers. An open, strong relationship is the stepping-stone to success. Read more...

One model for vocation ministry

The Conventual Franciscans

By Jim Kent, O.F.M., Conv.

In this model of vocation ministry the vocation director leads many people who contribute their talents in order to welcome a new generation into the community. Read more...

How the New Orleans Jesuits conduct vocation ministry

By Marvin Kitten S.J.

A long-time vocation minister shares the strategies and techniques he has developed over 16 years. Read more...

The selection, care and feeding of vocation ministers

By Sr. Carol Mucha R.S.M.

How does a community choose its vocation ministers? What qualities do they need? How do they prepare for the job? The Sisters of Mercy share their thoughts on these questions and more. Read more...

Lay vocation ministers speak out

Lay vocation ministers speak out

By Andrew, Andrew O’Connell, Maryellen Glackin, Andrew O’Connell, and Len Uhal

They are still a minority among vocation ministers, but lay people are forging new models for this ministry. Read more...

How we organized a Day of Discussion for leadership and vocation directors

By Fr. Scott Jones S.D.S., Sr. Barbara Linke S.S.N.D., Sr. Rose Sevenich O.S.F., and Fr. Joachim Studwell O.F.M.

Milwaukee area vocation ministers took the kernal of an idea—”let’s talk about our ministry with leadership”—and ran with it. Here’s the step-by-step planning that resulted in a day of fruitful exchange. Read more...

Leadership focus makes the difference for vocations

By Sr. Kelly Connors PM

When mission and identity are front and center for leadership, the foundation is firm for vocation ministry. Administrative tasks can interfere, however, with vision. Read more...

My expections of vocation ministers

Expertise and collaboration

By Mary Waskowiak R.S.M.

ALL OF US WHO SERVE as leaders of religious congregations are entrusted by our members with a particular role in carrying out the hopes and dreams of the community, especially as those hopes and dreams are articulated in our constitutions, direction or vision statements and chapter acts. No religious congregation can meaningfully carry out its life and mission without the engagement and collaboration of all. Read more...

What does it take to attract and sustain new members to religious communities?

In my years as executive director of NRVC, there are two questions that I’m asked most often. What signs of hope do you see regarding the future of religious life? And which communities are attracting new members? This article will attempt to answer the second question, and in doing so may shed some light on the first one as well. Read more...

Opening Our Hearts and Homes: A Process to Help Religious Congregations Invite New Members

Are you serious about inviting new members to join your congregation? Opening Our Hearts and Homes is an opportunity for members of congregations to reflect on your own vocations as sisters, brothers, or priests; to learn more about what young adults are seeking in religious life today; and to commit yourselves to welcome and invite these young adults to membership in your congregation. This program was developed by the National Religious Vocation Conference in conjunction with the National Coalition for Church Vocations, through the Media Education Institute for Vocation Ministers which is funded by the Conrad N. Read more...

Helping Insure a Future for Your Congregation: Vocation Promotion Among Young Adult Catholics

By Sean Sammon F.M.S.

In May 1995 actor Christopher Reeve, better known to many as Superman, suffered a catastrophic injury during a riding accident. Without warning, the actor’s horse made what is known in riding circles as a “dirty stop. Read more...

Sharing our life together with inquirers

In the busy-ness of our lives, it is not always easy to find the time to invite young women/men into our homes. These ideas are some of the ways that we can relax and still welcome newer members into our company. Read more...

The Forces that Push Us Towards and Pull Us Away from Community

By Nancy Schreck O.S.F.

This article is based on a talk presented at the National Religious Vocation Conference Study Days in September, 1999. Read more...

Leadership makes the difference

Leadership makes the difference

By Sister Mary Rowell C.S.J.

Vocation ministers are called to be leaders both inside their communities and out. Read more...

Put your chapter to work for vocations

Put your chapter to work for vocations

By Brother Paul Michalenko S.T.

Moving your community toward a strong vocation culture is a process, and a general chapter is a good time to begin or to continue. Read more...

How one community renewed its spirit and attracted new members

How one community renewed its spirit and attracted new members

By Fr. Dave Donnay O.S.C. and Fr. Richard McGuire O.S.C.

The Crosier community’s renewal process was not easy, but ultimately it created a stronger community that is now attracting new members. Read more...

Vocation Culture of Assessment Tools

These two booklets are available to engage community members in building a culture of vocations and to animate members. Read more...

HORIZON Fall 2024 ...

This edition focuses on discernment, particularly how vocation ministers can accompany ... More

Convocation Gratitude ...

The National Office and Board extend its appreciation for your participation, ... More

Nominate a board member ...

Board members have the opportunity to lead the NRVC into the ... More

World Day for Consecrated Life ...

There are several ways to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life! ... More

Bold and Faithful Storymap ...

Our Bold and Faithful Storymap links people interested in religious life ... More

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January 15, 2025,

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February 12, 2025,

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March 8-14, 2025,

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May 1, 2025,

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World Day for Consecrated Life

February 2, 2025,

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

May 11, 2025,

National Vocation Awareness Week

November 2-8, 2025,

VISION Discerner Guide

HORIZON Journal

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Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M.

Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M.

Short-term volunteer stints have proven to be a good way for Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M. to get to know women who might consider religious life. Building a relationship with people is key, she says, and the volunteer experience allows time for that. Read more...

Renew your NRVC membership

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